Motion Picture Review Digest (Jan-Dec 1936)

96 MOTION PICTURE REVIEW DIGEST ROMEO AND JU LI ET— Continued complete and authentic in every respect, and appearing as masterpieces of the art of scenic creation. . . Showmanship should take into account that the picture, although based on a work of Shakespeare, with its implications, has nonetheless, in its film form, much to appeal to the average audience. Its basic ingredients are universal in their appeal, and that fact should be capitalized by the exhibitor." + + Motion Pict Daily pi Jl 16 '36 "The resources of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have been poured into the finest production of this type that has ever come from any studio. Including not only dollars, but star values, good sense, showmanship angles, the motion picture production of a great play, Metro producer Irving Thalberg produced a picture that has everything to make it a money show. What it will do at the box office depends entirely on how the individual showman gets behind it. It has everything." + + Phila Exhibitor p34 Ag 1 '36 "As an example of expert picture making, combining fine photography and excellent sound recording, with the use of technical devices to create and enhance emotional effect, it is a superlative effort. . . It is a film venture that required unusual courage to undertake. . . The fine lyric qualities have been retained, and from that point of view there is every reason to laud the production as successful. Whether the film will be the box office socko that the jewelled cast of actors would seemingly guarantee, is likely to be answered by the methods employed in its presentation to the public. It will have to be sold (as Shakespeare always has had to be sold) and the regimentation of the schools, clubs and literary organizations effected. Let there be no doubt as to its attendance possibilities. With full blast propaganda behind it, 'Romeo' will draw into theatres plenty of the casuals, and the star names will magnetize the regular fans. It will also attract a new crop of cinema patrons from the arty, cultural, literati and dramatic bunch." + + Variety p20 Ag 26 '36 "To sell the old showman of Avon, as wrell as the world's foremost poet, to the picture public as popular entertainment is, ironically but admittedly, a handicap to overcome. So far as the box office is concerned, Thalberg and his associates underwrote the enterprise for insured and smashing success with magic names: Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, John Barrymore, Basil Rathbone and a superb cast of supporting players. . . Standing at the top of the players' roster, Norma Shearer also stands at the top in performance, her best. As Juliet she places herself on a par with the greatest current actresses of screen or stage. . . Leslie Howard chose to interpret Romeo with curbed emotion, but gives the role poetic grace, deep conviction and grave tenderness, a carefully considered performance, hauntingly tragic." + + Variety (Hollywood) p3 Jl 16 '36 Audience Suitability Ratings "A: fine of kind; Y: probably good; C: not for them." Christian Century p975 Jl 8 '36 'Excellent-mature.' DAR SAN FRANCISCO. MGM 115min Je 26 '36 Players: Clark Gable. Jeanette MacDonald. Spencer Tracy. Jack Holt. Jessie Ralph. Ted Healy Director: W. S. Van Dyke This is the story of the memorable earthquake and fire of 1906 which destroyed a city that had gained the reputation of being the wickedest city on the Pacific Coast. Entwined in the history of that catastrophe is the story of an innocent young singer who obtains a job as entertainer in the Barbary Coast cabaret owned by a tough underworld gambler. Nat Soc of New "Interesting for adults England Women + Fox W Coast Bui Jl 4 '36 "Spencer Tracy as the two-fisted priest is a surprisingly splendid role, while Jeanette MacDonald' s voice in the operatic sequences redeems whatever may be disappointing in this moving treatment of California life. Family." Am Legion Auxiliary "The thrilling climax is most appropriate and ennobling. Adults: good; family: good; 14-18: doubtful; 8-14: no." Calif Cong of Par & Teachers "The director had a difficult assignment and acquitted himself nobly. The photography is flawless and the settings excellent. Mature." Calif Fed of Business & Professional Women's Clubs "The cast is of high excellence, the singing of Miss MacDonald is noteworthy and a particularly sensitive performance by Spencer Tracy in the role of a priest deserves special mention. Adults & young people." E Coast Preview Committee "Flawless in direction and casting and with an ethical value beyond a doubt, this picture is suitable for the entertainment of the family." S Calif Council of Fed Church Women + Fox W Coast Bui Jl 11 '36 "Mature. Outstanding." 4 + Jt Estimates Jl 1 '36 "The outstanding performance comes from Spencer Tracy. If anything were needed to show that he is a great actor the evidence is supplied by this performance in a part that is difficult in itself and is made more difficult by reason of the roles in which audiences have been accustomed to see him. . . Van Dyke has handled the immense and varied materials set before him as effectively as he handles a simple 'thriller.' . . All his skill is unequal to the final scenfs of conversion. His handling of the 'moral' issue throughout the film seems to suggest that he was as conscious as many cinemagoers will be that it is hokum, and when he has to. face it he deals with it as quickly as possible. Suitability: adults & adolescents. This film is definitely not for children." Mo Film Bui pl20 Jl '36 "Earthquakes may have been shown before in movies, but never with such thrilling reality as in this picture. It is really an immense spectacle, a great technical achievement. The film is excellent melodrama. . . It is all made believable and leaves a vivid though sensational impression of the period and the appalling holocaust from the ashes of which arose the new San Francisco. Adolescents, 12-16: strong but interesting; children, 8-12: too exciting." + + Motion Pict R Jl '36 "Pulsating with life, vigor and rare beauty, this stupendous production can but inspire admiration for the studio which produced it. . . In no way does the picture seem offensive to good taste, since the action, for the most part takes place on the Barbary Coast. . . Because of its realism and tenseness the picture is suitable only for adult audiences." + + Nat Council of Jewish Women Jl 1 '36 "Against a background of the legendary Barbary Coast, a vibrant mixture of drama, faith and love is portrayed with deep sincerity. . . The addition of Jeanette MacDonald's glorious voice makes the production outstanding. General patronage." + + Nat Legion of Decency Jl 2 '36 "A: extraordinary; Y: good; C: too mature for many." Parents' M p70 S '36 + + Exceptionally Good; -+ Good; -\ Fair; 1 Mediocre; — Poor; Exceptionally Poor